Method of and apparatus for straightening stacks of sheet material



1965 HANS-JOACHIM BARTSCH 3,193,519

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR STRAIGHTENING STACKS 0F SHEET MATERIAL FiledDec. 27, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jnren for: H H 5 Tadzfny 7 mestem, moss 8mesterd 1955 HANSJOACHIM BARTSCH 3,

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR STRAIGHTENING STACKS 0F SHEET MATERIAL FiledDec. 27, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.3

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m, moss 89' mestem United States Patent 3,198,519 METHOD OF ANDAPPARATUS FOR STRAZGHT- ENHQG STACKS 0F SHEET MATERTAL Hans-JoachimBartsch, Kaiser Wiihelm Allee 24, Wuppertai-Elberfeld, Germany FiledDec. 27, 1962, Ser. No. 247,738 3 Claims. (Cl. 271-89) The presentinvention relates to a method of and an apparatus for straighteninggenerally rectangular stacks of sheets and, more particularly, to adevice for arranging and straightening printed sheets which are producedin large quantities by rotary printing machines and the like.

While other devices for the straightening and arranging of printing-shopproducts are known, such devices generally employ vibrating oroscillating means to shake down the stacks of sheets that are notsuitable for use With high-output printing presses (cg. rotary presses).which are capable of discharging up to 3%,000 sheets per hour at eachpress outlet. These sheets may still be wet and are often also.electrostatically charged so that arranging or knocking up of the stacksby hand is rather difiicult. In the absence of straightening devices thesheets are gathered into a pack and repeatedly dropped edgewise upon afiat table so that the stack can be stapled or otherwise processedfurther. This method of straightening is, however, time consuming andinvolves considerable labor cost.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method ofstraightening and arranging stacks of sheet material (e.g. printing-shopproducts) which avoids the aforementioned disadvantages and permits theorienting and packeting of large numbers of sheets in a short time.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device for stackingand orienting such sheets which is operable at a relatively high ratebut yet is of simple and inexpensive construction.

These objects are attained, in accordance with the invention, by amethod of straightening generally rectangular stacks of sheets whereinthe stacks are supported along two adjoining edges with the sheetsdisposed substantially vertically and their edges at angles to ahorizontal plane, and vibrated with a component of vibration actingsubstantially along each of the adjoining edges to align thecorresponding edges of the stacked sheets. Advantageously, the stacksare supported by a pair of plates which include between them a rightangle while the vibrations are generally vertical oscillations impartedto the plates. Since the latter are inclined to the vertical as well asto the horizontal, such vertical oscillation will impart a component ofvibration to the stacks along the plates and the supported edges. Itshould, however, be noted that a displacement of the plates willlikewise provide components of vibration as previously described. Theplates may extend longitudinally in the horizontal direction and may beprovided with a plurality of spaced vertical partitions whose relativepositions can be set with the aid of a gauge. This gauge may consist ofa plurality of strips of ditferent widths (preferably integral multiplesof a unit thickness) which may be selectively disposed between thepartition walls in order to set the width of each component.

The plates can thus form an upwardly open trough of V-shapedcross-section as defined by a pair of knock-up plates. The verticalpartitions advantageously have wedge-shaped profiles so that thecompartments diverge upwardly to facilitate insertion of the stacks. Thewedge edges of these partitions may be interrupted by respectivegripping recesses facilitating the removal of the stacks from thecomponents. Preferably, the two plates are laterally spaced from eachother to form a longitudinal Patented Aug. 3, 1965 gap therebetweenthrough which dust and air can pass out of the trough.

The plates may be rigidly interconnected by a common superstructureresiliently mounted upon a supporting frame. The vibrator means, whichcan be provided with an eccentric eight of adjustable throw and anadjustable clutch or coupling connecting the weight with thesuperstructure, can be provided upon the supporting frame. The throwadjustment of the vibration means permits alteration of the magnitude ofthe oscillations imparted to the plates while the coupling affordsadjustment of the direction of these oscillations.

The support frame may be provided with a table removably mounted thereonwhich projects later-ally from the frame and has an upright backingmember rigid with the table to facilitate the gathering and assemblingof the sheets of the stacks. This table may have one or more recessesextending inwardly beyond the edges of stacks carried thereby to enablegripping of these stacks by an operator. The support frame can beprovided with legs and transverse-struts, at least one of which isinwardly of the legs at one end of the frame so as not to interfere withthe legs of an operator when moving the de- Vibe. The other legs are, ofcourse, providedjwith roller means such as a pair of casters, so thatelevation of one end of the device will permit the support to be movedin wheelbarrow fashion.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more readily apparent from the following detaileddescription, reference being made to the appended drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a front-elevational view of a device according to theinvention; 7

FIG. 2 is a side-elevational view thereof;

FIG. Za'is a plan view of a gathering table removably mounted on theapparatus;

FIG. 3 is a side-elevational view of a partition employed with theknock-up plates;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational viewof this partition drawn to an enlargedscale;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the partition;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a guide rail along which the partitions aremovable;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged projectional'view of a knock-up plate showingdetails of the means for longitudinally adjusting the partitions; and

FIG. 8 is a front-elevational view of this portion of the device.

The device shown in the drawing comprises a supporting frame 1 uponwhich a superstructure 2 is resiliently supported by rubber or springcushion 3, the superstructure 2 carrying a knock-up section 4 adapted tobeing vibrated.

The support frame is of tubular construction and has a pair of legs 7which are provided with casters 5 at one end of the frame while a secondpair of legs 6 is adapted to rest against the floor at the liftable endthereof. The legs 7 are interconnected by a pair of vertically spacedtransverse struts 9 while a further horizontal strut 9' is providedinwardly of the legs 6 along longitudinal traverses 3. Strip 9? does notinterfere with the operators legs during transportation of the device inthe course of which the operator lifts the legs d and pushes the framealong the floor. One of the legs 6 also carries a hook 10 upon which acoil 11 of electric cable can be hung. A gathering table 12 is providedwith a pair of hooks 13 by which it is removably mounted upon the frame1 and with a support 14 which backs against a leg 6 to maintain thetable in its horizontal position. The table is also provided with abacking member 12' and with a pair of inwardly extending recesses 15through which sheet material, gathered into a stack upon the table, can

be gripped. The table 12 can, of course, be mounted at either end of theframe so as to serve for feeding stacks into the knock-up compartmentsor assist in the removal of the stacks therefrom. The backing member 12prevents contact between material on the table and the operators handswith the vibrating superstructure.

This superstructure is provided with a pair of knockup plates 16, 17,which are disposed at right angles to each other and include alongitudinal gap therebetween through which air and dust can escape fromthe trough. The latter is subdivided by a plurality of verticalpartitions 18 into longitudinally spaced compartments 19 of variablecapacity. The partitions (FIGS. 3-5) have wedge profiles 21 terminatingin a wedging edge 21 and form compartments 19 which open diverginglyupwardly. This edge 21 is interrupted by a centrally located grippingrecess 22 facilitating removal of the stacks from the compartments. Thepartitions 18 are each provided with a bore 23 through which a retainingbolt 24 passes into engagement with a longitudinal slot 26 in a guiderail recessed in partitions 16. The bolts 24 are formed with T-shapedheads 24' and may be tightened by nuts 27 receivable in a counter sunkrecess 23' at gripping recess 22. Loosening of the lock nuts 27 will,consequently, permit shifting of the partitions in the longitudinaldirection.

To facilitate the setting of the width of the compartment, it ispreferred to provide a gauge consisting of a plurality of strips ofdifferent thickness which are integral multiples of a unit thickness.These strips are provided I with an aperture at one extremity and aremounted upon a flexible member passing through these apertures andsupported at opposite extremities on plate .16 via a bracket. It shouldalso be noted, however, that the setting gauge can be disconnected fromthe device and be sub- 'stantially in the form of a key ring. Thus fourof the wood strips can have respective thickness of 2 mm. while theremainder have thicknesses of 10 mm. so that respective juxtaposition ofthick and thin strips can provide Widths of any desired dimension andrelatively great precision.

The vibrator motor 29 is provided with an adjustable eccentric which isconnected to the superstructure 2 via a coupling 30 which permitsadjustment of both the magnitude and direction of the oscillations.

When a five-compartment unit is provided, each compartment can have acapacity of 50 sheets so that 250 sheets are continuously beingprocessed. The device can easily have a throughput of approximately 500sheets per minute and thus is capable of handling the output of ahigh-speed printing press. After adjustment of the compartments to theproper width, the operator turns on the vibrator motor 29, gathers theprinted sheets on the table 12 and deposits stacks of them in theseveral compartments 19. After filling all of the compartments hereverts to the first compartment withdraws the straightened stack. andreplaces it by another pile of sheets from the table. The finishedstacks then may be disposed upon a pallet or other conveyor for furtherprocessing.

I claim:

1. A jogging device for straightening stacks of generally rectangularsheets, comprising support means; a pair of knock-up plates mounted onsaid support means generally perpendicularly to one another and at aninclination to the horizontal to form an upwardly open longitudinallyextending trough; a plurality of longitudinally spaced partitionsextending perpendicularly to said plates and subdividing said troughlongitudinally into a plurality of compartments, said partitions eachbeing provided with a pair of spaced apart walls defining one side of arespective compartment, said walls converging toward one another at anupper edge of each partition in Wedgelike configuration for directingrespective stacks of said sheets away from the respective edge intorespective compartments adjoining the latter, said partitions eachhaving a lower portion along which the respective walls are generallyparallel to one another and an arcuate upper portion terminating at therespective edge which is outwardly convex, one of said plates beingprovided with a longitudinally extending slot; and adjustable mountingmeans on each of said partitions engageable with said slot foradjustably securing it to saidone of said plates and a selectedlongitudinal position therealong for regulating the size of saidcompartments.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said fastening means includesa respective bolt mounted between the walls of each partition andextending perpendicularly to said one of said plates into engagementwith said slot.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said slot is formed by a guiderail in said one of said plates.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,236,892 8/17Wilson 27l-89 1,260,017 3/18 Novotny et al. 271-89 1,411,964 4/22Gammeter 271--89 2,506,463 5/50 Malmros 27l89 X 2,624,577 1/53 Peugnet27l89 2,629,592 2/53 Line 27l89 2,650,109 8/53 Johnson 27l89 X 2,661,95012/53 Brown 27l89 M. HENSON WOOD, JR., Primary Examiner.

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, ROBERT B. REEVES,

Examiners.

1. A JOGGING DEVICE FOR STRAIGHTENING STACKS OF GENERALLY RECTANGULARSHEETS, COMPRISING SUPPORT MEANS; A PAIR OF KNOCK-UP PLATES MOUNTED ONSAID SUPPORT MEANS GENERALLY PERPENDICULARLY TO ONE ANOTHER AND AT ANINCLINATION TO THE HORIZONTAL TO FORM AN UPWARDLY OPEN LONGITUDINALLYEXTENDING TROUGH; A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY SPACED PARTITIONSEXTENDING PERPENDICULARLY TO SAID PLATES AND SUBDIVIDING SAID TROUGHLONGITUDINALLY INTO A PLURALITY OF COMPARTMENTS, SAID PARTITIONS EACHBEING PROVIDED WITH A PAIR OF SPACED APART WALLS DEFINING ONE SIDE OF ARESPECTIVE COMPARTMENT, SAID WALLS CONVERGING TOWARD ONE ANOTHER AT ANUPPER EDGE OF EACH PARTITION IN WEDGELIKE CONFIGURATION FOR DIRECTINGRESPECTIVE STACKS OF SAID SHEETS AWAY FROM THE RESPECTIVE EDGE INTORESPECTIVE COMPARTMENTS ADJOINING THE LATTER, SAID PARTITIONS EACHHAVING A LOWER PORTION ALONG WHICH THE RESPECTIVE WALLS ARE GENERALLYPARALLEL TO ONE ANOTHER AND AN ARCUATE UPPER PORTION TERMINATING AT THERESPECTIVE EDGE WHEN IS OUTWARDLY CONVEX, ONE OF SAID PLATES BEINGPROVIDED WITH A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING SLOT; AND ADJUSTABLE MOUNTINGMEANS ON EACH OF SAID PARTITIONS ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID SLOT FORADJUSTABLY SECURING IT TO SAID ONE OF SAID PLATES AND A SELECTEDLONGITUDINAL POSITION THEREALONG FOR REGULATING THE SIZE OF SAIDCOMPARTMENTS.